Weekly Informational Update

It is safe to say each and every one of our member organizations is responding to hurricanes and flooding damage across our southern states. Resources are being coordinated, needs communicated and response activities cooperatively placed where needed. This is an “all hands on deck” response that relies on the faith-based and NGO resources to support government partners. And this work has not been overlooked by the media in the last week. A recent story in the KARE 11 News out of Minneapolis, Minnesota talked up disaster response and the great work National VOAD organizations are doing in response to recent hurricanes. Other news agencies have taken note and are following disaster response with an eye on VOADs.

Do you know what your organization is providing to people impacted by disaster? Just because the hurricanes in Texas and Florida do not impact us in the NW directly does not mean this is not an opportunity for us to learn. As you read about your agency’s response, take note of the resources and capabilities. Listen in on the conference calls and begin to get a feel of the “battle rhythm” and how things get done. Who are the shakers and movers? Who has a great deal of knowledge? Who is close to us here in the NW and begin to reach out and learn.

Disasters elsewhere are an opportunity for us to learn in a lower tension atmosphere the skills of disaster response. At some point we will rely on these same subject matter experts to help us through our disaster. Knowing now their names, skills and strengths provides an opportunity to learn deeply the roles and responsibilities each of our organizations expects us to possess. Being unprepared is not only unacceptable but irresponsible.

Due to FEMA’s responsibilities with hurricane response, the Sept. 27-29, 2017 offering of the L0288 and L0489 courses have been canceled. We are working with OEM, FEMA and Josephine County to get new dates.

As soon as I know the new dates I will push the information out. Please share this information.

Thanks for the updated information Reed, and we look forward to the announcement of a rescheduled training.

Training Opportunities as Announced by OEM:

Attached are the training announcements for the following courses (Italicized listings are new announcements):

Please contact if you have any questions regarding training or need to send in your FEMA 119 forms for a specific course.

Trainings and Workshops:

Current Happenings & Items for Consideration

NEW: Mandatory Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System to be Conducted September 27th, 2017 at 11:20am PST. The EAS test is made available to radio, television, cable, and direct broadcast satellite systems, and is scheduled to last approximately one minute. The test’s message will be similar to the regular monthly test message of the EAS with which the public is familiar, only inserting the word “national.” “This is a national test of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a test.” Go to https://ready.gov/alerts for more information on types of alerts, the system, and knowing your alerts and warnings.

September is National Preparedness Month! This year’s themes will focus on planning, with an overarching theme “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.”

The Regional Water Providers Consortium has created the #14 Gallons Challenge – a great way to kick off your preparedness campaign! Flyers attached.

The American Red Cross and KGW-TV are partnering to make our community safer – all month long you will see public safety messages from local leaders in preparedness, response and recovery. Click here to view.

The UASI 2018 pipeline project process is here again! Please start thinking about projects, equipment, training, or exercises that could be placed in the REMTEC project pipeline. Anyone interested in bringing a project forward is welcome to attend the RDPO Program Committee Meeting on September 25th where you can learn more about the process, project requirements, and garner ideas. 1pm-3pm, PBEM ECC @ 9911 SE Bush Street. Expect a separate grant-related email, guidance, and REMTEC projects in-progress.

OMSI’s New and Improved Shake House – coming fall/winter 2017! For many years, OMSI’s Shake House has delighted visitors as they experience earthquakes and learn to drop, cover, and hold on while singing “I feel the Earth, move, under my feet…” After more than 500,000 quake simulations, the Shake House is ready for an update! Join us for the October REMTEC meeting taking place at OMSI and get a preview of the Shake House update and other OMSI renovation plans. Shake House flyer attached.

10/17 – Region 10 Regional Response Team & NW Area Committee Meeting, Portland. This meeting is open to all who are interested in seeing what HazMat/Oil Spill responses have been conducted, and planning for such events. The meeting will be held at Columbia Inter-Tribal Fishing Commission’s chamber, Lloyd Building, 700 NE Multnomah Street. Check out the RRT/NWAC website for more information on the team, their mission, and response plans.

NEW: 11/15 8:00am-12:00pm – Washington County Land Use and Transportation is hosting a FREE, 4-hour workshop aimed at Road Maintenance, Public Works, Engineers, Finance, and EM partners. It will be held at the Walnut Street Center, located at 1400 SW Walnut Street, Hillsboro. If you have within your jurisdiction highways and roads eligible for the Federal Aid Emergency Relief program, then you will benefit from learning more about the FHWA Emergency Relief Program for requesting response reimbursement. To check what roads are eligible in your jurisdiction, go to your County map at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Data/Pages/Maps.aspx. Contact Deborah_Dalenberg@co.washington.or.us , or 503-846-7677 for more information or to register.

NEW: 10/18 9:00am-5:00pm – FREE ICS and the Planning P Course, Beaverton, OR. Workshop and exercise for Incident Management Team’s Command and General Staff. Please send an email with your name, contact information and agency to msedrington@aol.com or call 503.750.7816. Registrations will be taken until October 11th 2017. Flyer attached.

WA State EM Division Training Opportunities Bulletin featuring courses from FEMA Region X, WA State EMD, and local stakeholders. To view course and session details, log in to Washington TRAIN. If you don’t have an account, follow the directions to create one and manage your account. Flyer attached.

NEW: Hurricane Response Jobs at the Small Business Administration (SBA), nationwide openings. The SBA is hiring temporary employees to assist with disaster relieve efforts from September 1st to December 31st, 2017. Bilingual language skills a plus. Go here for job descriptions and application process.